Volunteer in Tanzania

A land vibrant in cultural diversity, world-renowned for wide-open savannahs, lush tropical mountain forests, the Great Rift Valley and Mt. Kilimanjaro, Northern Tanzania is best known for its abundant natural resources, wildlife safaris, and home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Join us as we gain an appreciation for the people, local cultural heritage, and the highland and forest environments they call home while helping to preserve and restore the incredible landscapes and ecosystems near Lake Manyara National Park, part of the Great Rift Valley Escarpment and in the Rau Forest Reserve, in Moshi Town at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Desertification is one of Tanzania's biggest challenges due to climate change and deforestation caused by population growth. Our trip’s volunteer projects focus on reforestation and trail restoration in the highlands of the Great Rift Valley and at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro in the northern part of Tanzania. 

Our volunteer projects will support developing a sustainable environment for future generations. The trees we plant will help mitigate climate change, protect water sources, improve water quality, and reduce erosion. By providing shelter for wildlife, the trees sustain biodiversity. Reforestation also provides space for the local community's well-being. 

Working in collaboration with local community organizations, our volunteer activities could include planting indigenous trees, growing rare trees in a nursery, collecting seeds, and carrying out essential surveys to monitor forest regeneration. You may also build a fence to protect and preserve natural resource land and remove non-native species. You will also help restore trails in the Rau Forest Reserve and learn about local forest restoration from an expert land manager. 

Volunteer trips offer the opportunity to experience the land and interact with the local community in a unique way not available to the average tourist.

No prior experience required! We will provide project training. You should be able to hike with a day pack, climb hills, move soil or rock with a shovel, pull unwanted vegetation, or carry stones. As always, our priority is your health and safety.

 See the complete itinerary description on the Tanzania Volunteer Trip page on ConservationVIP's website 

 "Karibu Tanzania, Rafiki" Welcome to Tanzania, friend! 

Our volunteer trip begins in Tanzania at 4:30 pm at our lodge in Arusha. We will have an orientation and briefing where you will get acquainted with your ConservationVIP® Trip Leaders, fellow volunteers, and local guide and get an overview of the exciting time ahead, including the history of Tanzania and its people after British Colonialism, thru independence to modern times. We will have an introductory lesson to the local languages of Swahili and Iraqw (a Cushitic language) for an engaging exchange! 

 After breakfast, we depart the lodge for the 2 ½ hour drive to our lodge in Karatu. After checking into our lodging, we will make the 30-minute drive to our project site at Gekrum Village, which borders Lake Manyara National Park. Here we will be met by Gekrum Village members, a Cushitic community near our project site. We will enjoy a community welcome lunch, orientation, and volunteer project overview.

Then we begin preparations for our reforestation project. After our initial work is complete, we will return to the lodge for dinner. After dinner is your free time to relax and unwind.  

 We depart the lodge after breakfast for the project site a short drive away at Gekrum Village. Our projects will vary throughout the week and may include removing non-native species, preparing the soil for planting, planting native plants, collecting water and watering, and mixing fertilizer. This may involve hiking 1- 3 miles round trip per day. After our projects end for the day, generally around 4:30 p.m., you'll have a little time to relax before dinner. 

Today is a rest day. You can rest and relax on your own, enjoying the hotel grounds, or you can explore Lake Manyara National Park on safari. 

Our reforestation project at Gekrum helps to create a natural buffer zone between the village and Lake Manyara National Park which borders Gekrum Village. 

The safari to Lake Manyara National Park offers you the opportunity to see how our volunteer project in Gekrum helps to conserve The Great Rift Valley. Within its numerous microclimates, Lake Manyara National Park encloses a diverse range of landscapes and animal populations which mirror those of many different parts of Tanzania. We will enjoy lunch in the park. Later we return to the lodge to freshen up before dinner.

Today we return to the project site for tree planting and have a celebration with the Gekrum Village community before saying goodbye. We return to the lodge for dinner.  

After an early breakfast, there will be an introduction to the next partner on our journey and a briefing on our upcoming activities at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro! 

Then we will depart the lodge for a day-long journey northeast to the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro and our next volunteer project site. We will stop along the way for lunch and refreshments, then continue to our hotel in Moshi.

We begin our Rau Forest Reserve project with an expert land manager's orientation about the Rau Forest Reserve, including visiting the community adjacent to the forest and learning about the local culture. 

During our time at Rau Forest Reserve, we will engage in a variety of activities including planting indigenous trees, preparing the tree planting site, working in the tree nursery, forest trail clean-up, and maintaining trails.

The projects may involve hiking 1- 3 miles per day. After our projects end for the day, generally around 4:30 p.m., we return to the lodge before dinner. After dinner is your free time to relax and unwind.  

Today we head back to the Rau Forest Reserve and meet up with our partners from Kiviwama, who will lead us in planting trees in the Njoro Juu Water Spring's natural springs. Kiviwama (Young Activists in Environment affiliate in Moshi) was formed in 1999 during the national water week when the nation motivated the citizens to plant and care for these indigenous trees that are water friendly. After our work is complete, we return to the hotel to refresh and relax before lunch. 

Before we say goodbye to our Rafiki (friends) in Tanzania, we will come together for a meal to celebrate our work together.  

Our trip ends after breakfast this morning.  You may join the group transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport or opt to extend your stay in Tanzania with a safari in one of the many national parks and reserves. 

Thank you for helping mitigate climate change and the local community as you experienced Tanzania!

Note: Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule above, the itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control, including changes in the local project needs, weather, and terrain conditions.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING AIR TRAVEL: Before purchasing your airline tickets, please check with us to ensure the trip has the necessary minimum number of participants required to operate.